The Boston Red Sox thought pitching phenom Josh Beckett would get them the win, in Texas, yesterday during Game 2 of their three game set against the Rangers. But it wasn’t meant to be as the Rangers won 4-2 for their third straight win, fourth of five, over the Red Sox. Tonight, Wednesday July 22, the Rangers look to sweep the Red Sox. MLB oddsmakers at Sportsbetting.com have the Red Sox as -130 moneyline favorites over the Rangers (+115) with the over/under set at 10 runs. Be sure to get your MLB Pick: Rangers vs Red Sox Odds & Prediction in now at Sportsbetting.com
The Red Sox (55-38) dropped out of first in the AL East after falling to Texas, but no one can point any fingers at Josh Beckett. The ace did everything he could to keep the Sox afloat, but again, the offense lagged. Beckett tossed eight innings, allowed seven hits, four runs and struck out seven. After that slight hiccup in the first, Beckett went on a serious roll, sending down 14 in a row before Michael Young drilled a one-out single in the sixth. The Rangers added insurance runs in the seventh and eighth to pin the Sox in a three-run hole. Tonight the Red Sox will try right hander Clay Buchholz (1-0, 1.59 ERA) who is replacing injured knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. This is Buchholz's second stint with the Red Sox in less than a week. He started against the Blue Jays on July 17 and beat them, 4-1, in Toronto. He allowed one run on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings. Buchholz is 7-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 17 games, including 16 starts, at Triple-A Pawtucket. He is 6-10 with a 5.35 ERA in 21 career Major League games, including 19 starts. He threw six scoreless innings in an 8-3 victory over the Rangers in his only start against them on April 21, 2008. J.D. Drew is 0-for-18 since the All-Star break and the Red Sox are hitting .194 in the first five games of this journey through Toronto and Texas, scoring 12 runs.
The Rangers (51-41) have now gone on a three game win streak after dropping four straight on the road. They’ll start righty Vicente Padilla (7-5, 4.67 ERA) who is 1-2 in his last three starts. He last pitched in a 3-5 loss to Minnesota after tossing seven innings, allowing one homer, 11 hits, five runs and striking out three. Over nine home starts this season, he is 3-4 with a 6.00 ERA and opponents are hitting .338 (73-for-216) against him. In seven games — six starts — against the Red Sox in his career, Padilla is 2-3 with a 4.84 ERA over 35 1/3 innings pitched. Against the Red Sox – Michael Young has eight hits with a .381 batting average and he leads their offense with two homers, five runs and two RBI’s. Nelson Cruz leads their offense with 23 homers, 50 runs and 54 RBI’s.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Red Sox are 0-4 in their last 4 overall.
- Red Sox are 2-8 in Buchholzs last 10 starts.
- Red Sox are 0-6 in Buchholzs last 6 starts as a road favorite.
- Under is 6-0 in the last 6 meetings.
- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Texas.
- Red Sox are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings.
- Rangers are 6-0 in Padillas last 6 starts as an underdog of +110 to +150.
MLB Pick: Red Sox vs Rangers
When: Wed, July 22, 2009 8:05 PM ET
Line: Sportsbetting.com
Pick: Rangers +115
Point-Spreads.com MLB Pick: Red Sox vs Rangers Odds & Predictions
The Bottom Line: If Josh Beckett couldn’t get them a win yesterday, today won’t be any different. Go Rangers! Be sure to get your MLB Pick: Red Sox vs Rangers Odds & Predictions in now at Sportsbetting.com and receive 10% Free Cash on initial deposit!
